Ankura主动脉覆膜支架行原位开窗重建弓上分支的应用

背景与目的 胸主动脉腔内修复术（TEVAR）已经成为治疗主动脉弓部病变的首选术式。然而,此术式要求支架近端安全锚定区至少为15 mm,对于锚定区不足者,则通常需重建弓部分支血管以确保手术安全。在目前各种重建技术中,原位开窗技术因其较大程度的保留分支血管以及较低的内漏风险而应用最多。因此,本研究探讨Ankura主动脉覆膜支架进行原位开窗重建弓上分支的可行性及效果。方法 回顾性分析2017年3月—2020年12月中国科学院大学宁波华美医院收治的47例近端锚定区不足的主动脉病变患者的临床资料。其中胸主动脉夹层38例,胸主动脉瘤6例,胸主动脉溃疡3例。根据术前CTA影像资料决定患者的开窗数目、开窗支架规格,术中利用穿刺针对Ankura主动脉覆膜支架进行原位开窗重建弓部分支,术后定期行主动脉CTA复查随访。结果 所有患者均获手术成功,共植入Ankura胸主动脉覆膜支架47枚,Gore Viabahn覆膜支架51枚,Cordis Smart裸支架20枚。4例术中转烟囱支架植入,原位开窗成功率91.5%（43/47）,包括左锁骨下动脉（LSA）开窗29例,左颈总动脉（LCCA）开窗+LSA栓塞1例,LSA开窗+左椎动脉烟囱1例,LSA开窗+左LCCA烟囱9例,LCCA+LSA开窗+无名动脉（IA）烟囱1例,LCCA开窗+IA烟囱+LSA栓塞2例。全组患者手术时间160~300 min,平均（200±20）min,术中开窗时间18~45 min,平均（30±8）min;术后内漏（1型）3例,逆撕2例（1例行升主动脉置换后好转,1例死亡）,脑梗死2例,截瘫0例。平均随访时间（28.4±14.7）个月,期间2例内漏在随访中消失,1例内漏未进一步增大予以观察随访中,未见开窗分支血管闭塞。结论 利用穿刺破膜技术对Ankura主动脉覆膜支架进行原位开窗重建分支血管是一种切实可行且有效的治疗方式,近期效果良好。     

Aortic arch aneurysm and patent left internal mammary artery: technique of transposition of supra-aortic vessels and embolization of the subclavian artery

Endovascular treatment of aortic arch aneurysms poses unique problems because of vascularization of the carotid arteries. Transposition of supra-aortic vessels is becoming an established and accepted strategy for expanding the applicability of stent graft repair. left subclavian artery (LSA) is not usually transposed because its overstenting does not produce relevant complications. Nevertheless, some selected cases need high-pressure revascularization of the LSA, such as in the presence of a patent left internal mammary artery. We present a technique of revascularization of supra-aortic vessels and "balloon protected" embolization of the origin of the LSA.     

Endovaskuläre Versorgung von Pathologien der Aorta ascendens und des Aortenbogens

Background

Open surgery for pathologies of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch represents the gold standard of treatment. Conventional open repair techniques, however, require hypothermic circulatory arrest which is associated with relevant complications. Minimally invasive therapy of the aortic arch represents an alternative for patients not suitable for open therapy; however, it is a challenge due to the complexity of this vascular region. The supra-aortic branches perfuse the brain which has a minimal tolerance to ischemia time. Furthermore, the aortic arch may be wide, angulated, more pulsatile and at a greater distance from the femoral access vessels than the rest of the aorta.

Results

Endovascular options for treatment of pathologies of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch include hybrid debranching procedures, chimney grafts for the supra-aortic vessels, in situ fenestration of thoracic endografts and customized fenestrated branched stent grafts. Customized fenestrated branched endografts appear to be a very good option for patients unfit for open surgery and could potentially become the endovascular treatment of choice.

Conclusion

Irrespective of the endovascular treatment selected, detailed preoperative planning and understanding of the specific characteristics of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch are of paramount importance to achieve a good outcome.     

Stent salvage using the Enterprise stent for procedure-related complication during coil embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms

Background

Despite accumulated experience and improved understanding of the tools, endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms continues to have risks linked to the technique itself, and induces procedure-related complications. The purpose of this study was to report our series of stent salvage using the Enterprise stent for procedure-related complication during coil embolization in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

Parent artery thrombosis, parent artery dissection, and coil protrusion were considered to be the procedure-related complications. There were 18 consecutive cases (3 unruptured and 15 ruptured aneurysms) with procedure-related complications rescued by the Enterprise stent from December 2008 to December 2011. Follow-up angiography was performed in 14 of the 15 patients with ruptured aneurysms between 6 and 30 months (mean 14.6 months) after the procedure.

Results

The procedure-related complications were parent artery dissection (n?=?1), parent artery thrombosis (n?=?4), and coil protrusion (n?=?10). There was no complication related to delivering or deploying of the Enterprise stent. Initial radiographic results showed 8 cases of complete occlusion and 7 cases of neck remnant. There was no change in the angiographic results during the follow-up periods.

Conclusions

Facing with procedure-related complications during coil embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms, the closed-cell designed Enterprise stent might be a useful option for the salvage technique by restoring blood flow and minimizing thromboembolic events.     

Endovascular aortic arch repair with a pre-cannulated double-fenestrated physician-modified stent graft: a benchtop experiment

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESThe critical step in total endovascular aortic arch repair is to ensure alignment of fenestrations with, and thus maintenance of flow to, supra-aortic trunks. This experimental study evaluates the feasibility and accuracy of a double-fenestrated physician-modified endovascular graft [single common large fenestration for the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery and a distal small fenestration for left subclavian artery (LSA) with a preloaded guidewire for the LSA] for total endovascular aortic arch repair.METHODSEight fresh human cadaveric thoracic aortas were harvested. Thoracic endografts with a physician-modified double fenestration were deployed for total endovascular aortic arch repair in a bench test model. A guidewire was preloaded through the distal fenestration for the LSA. All experiments were undertaken in a hybrid room under fluoroscopic guidance with subsequent angioscopy and open evaluation for assessment.RESULTSMean aortic diameter in zone 0 was 31.3 ± 3.33 mm. Mean duration for stent graft modification was 20.1 ± 5.8 min. Mean duration of the procedure was 24 ± 8.6 min. The Medtronic Valiant Captivia stent graft was used in 6 and the Cook Alpha Zenith thoracic stent graft in 2 cases. LSA catheterization was technically successful with supra-aortic trunk patency in 100% of cases.CONCLUSIONSThe use of a double-fenestrated stent graft with a preloaded guidewire appears to be a useful technical addition to facilitate easy and correct alignment of stent graft fenestrations with supra-aortic trunk origins.     

Surgical management of vertebral and basilar artery aneurysms: a single center experience in 41 patients

Objective

To study an effective method for surgical management of vertebral and basilar artery aneurysms.

Methods

Forty-one patients with 43 aneurysms of the vertebral and basilar arteries were managed by microsurgical clipping. Cerebral angiography revealed basilar apex aneurysms in 17 patients, basilar trunk in six patients, vertebrobasilar (VB) junction aneurysms in three patients and vertebral aneurysms in 15 patients. One patient had two basilar aneurysms, and another had bilateral vertebral artery aneurysm.

Surgical technique

We used a pterional approach in basilar apex aneurysms (n?=?17 patients), orbitozygomatic and its variants in upper basilar trunk aneurysms (n?=?2 patients), combined petrosal and far-lateral approach in mid basilar trunk aneurysms (n?=?4 patients), far-lateral and transcondylar approach for the aneurysms at VB junction (n?=?3 patients) and transcondylar approach for the vertebral aneurysms (n?=?15 patients). Bypass graft was performed in 14 patients with fusiform and wide neck aneurysms, to prevent potential cerebral ischemia due to prolonged temporary occlusion or possibility of intraoperative parent artery sacrifice.

Results

Neurological outcomes were measured on the basis of Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). The rate of back-to-normal life after surgery in basilar tip aneurysm, basilar trunk aneurysms, VB junction aneurysms and vertebral artery aneurysms was 15/17 (82.5 %), 5/6 (83 %), 3/3 (100 %) and 14/15 (93.3 %), respectively. Thirty-six (87.8 %) patients had uneventful postoperative courses. Two patient with basilar apex aneurysm suffered severe neurological deficits related to midbrain ischemia, two patient with occipital artery (OA) graft bypass had postoperative partial lower cranial nerve palsy, and one death with basilar trunk aneurysm occurred after the 20th day of surgery. Thirty-nine patients accepted postoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and eight patients accepted computed tomography (CT) angiogram, whereas two patient denied either one. All the images demonstrated afferent and efferent vessels without aneurysm in situ. Out of 14 patients with graft bypass, 11 patients on cerebral angiographies disclosed the aneurysm clip and the graft bypass patency, one patient on angiography had unidentified graft bypass patency but no symptom related to the graft bypass patency, and two patients denied the postoperative cerebral angiographies. In 40 patients with a mean follow-up of 3.4 years, 37 patients had good outcome, two patients needed assistance for daily living, and one death occurred due to brainstem infarction related to surgery.

Conclusion

Selection of proper cranial base approach with adequate exposure is effective in clipping VB aneurysms, minimizing the postoperative complications. Graft bypass may avoid parent artery sacrifice and its branches occlusion in patients with fusiform and wide neck aneurysms.     

Endovaskuläre Therapie des Aortenbogens

Background

Open surgical treatment represents the gold standard for pathologies of the aortic arch. Despite surgical, anesthesiological and technical developments of open surgery, hypothermic circulatory arrest with a high perioperative risk is still necessary and cannot therefore be used for multimorbid patients. Endovascular techniques have made impressive developments over the last 20 years and are the treatment of choice for pathologies of the descending aorta. In emergency situations, such as ruptured or symptomatic aneurysms and in multimorbid patients, endovascular techniques are currently becoming a treatment alternative for lesions of the aortic arch. Due to the complexity of the aortic arch with its supra-aortic vessels, angulation and proximity to the heart, endovascular treatment is a challenging task.

Objective

Which therapy options are offered by endovascular techniques for individual patients?

Results

Endovascular treatment options for the aortic arch include hybrid debranching procedures and endovascular techniques, such as fenestrated and branched stent grafts, chimney graft procedures and in situ fenestration. Customized fenestrated and branched stent grafts are considered to be a good alternative treatment for patients unfit for open surgery and could become the treatment of choice in the future. Chimney grafts and in situ fenestration are suitable as valuable bail-out strategies for aortic arch pathologies.

Conclusion

Endovascular techniques are rapidly developing and improving and have currently become a valid alternative treatment in specialized centers for high risk patients with aortic arch pathologies.

     

Robot-assisted renal artery aneurysm repair with a saphenous vein Y-graft interposition

Background

Renal artery aneurysms (RAA) treatment includes both surgical repair and endovascular techniques, mostly depending on the location of aneurysm [1]. For complex RAA located at renal artery bifurcation or distally, open surgical repair represents the gold standard of treatment [2]. However, the transperitoneal open access to the renal artery requires a wide laparotomy—hence the attempt to be minimally invasive with the first reports of laparoscopic approach [3, 4]. Even if it represents a possibility, laparoscopy has not yet gained widespread acceptance for the technical difficulties in performing vascular anastomosis. We herein describe the repair of a complex RAA using the Da Vinci Surgical System.

Methods

A 41-year-old woman had an accidentally discovered saccular aneurysm of the right renal artery with a maximum diameter of 20 mm, with one in and four out. A laparoscopic robot-assisted approach was planned. Intraoperatively, we confirm the strategy to group the four output branches in two different patches. Thus, a Y-shaped autologous saphenous graft was prepared and introduced through a trocar. For the three anastomoses, a polytetrafluoroethylene running suture was preferred.

Results

The total operation time was 350 min, and the estimated surgical blood loss was about 200 ml. Warm ischemia time was 58 min for the posterior branch and 24 min for the second declamping. The patient resumed a regular diet on postoperative day 2, and the hospital stay lasted 4 days. No intraoperative or postoperative morbidity was noted. A CT scan performed 2 months later revealed the patency of all the reconstructed branches.

Conclusions

The experience of our group counts five other renal aneurysm repair performed with a robot-assisted technique [5]. The presence of five different arterial branches involved in the reconstruction makes this procedure difficult. Robot-assisted laparoscopic technique represents a valid alternative to open surgery in complex cases.     

Hybridverfahren—Ein alternatives Behandlungskonzept beim thorakoabdominalen Aortenaneurysma

Introduction

The conventional approach for the repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms remains complex and demanding and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Moreover, in cases of reoperation the impact can be dramatic either in survival or in quality of life of the patients, despite the use of adjuncts. A combined endovascular and surgical approach with retrograde perfusion of visceral and renal vessels has been developed to minimize intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Material and methods

Of 137 thoracic aortic stent grafts inserted between 1995 and 2004, 7 of the patients with thoracoabdominal aneurysms were treated with a combined endovascular and surgical approach. Five procedures were electively conducted and two on an emergency basis. The surgical approach was executed in all patients without thoracotomy or redo retroperitoneal exposure. Revascularization of the renal, superior mesenteric artery and celiac trunk was accomplished via transperitoneal bypass grafting. Aneurysmal exclusion was performed by stent graft deployment.

Results

The entire procedure was technically successful in all patients. A 73-year-old man died due to multiorgan failure after having developed ischemia-related pancreatitis, despite the successful combined repair. A second female patient, 76 years old, with ruptured TAAA died due to shock-related multiorgan failure. No patient experienced any temporary or permanent neurological deficit.

Conclusion

The combined endovascular and surgical approach is feasible, without cross-clamping of the aorta and with minimized ischemia time for renal and visceral arteries, and a thoracoabdominal transdiaphragmatic approach seems to be the appropriate strategy for high-risk and previously operated patients.     

Combined endovascular and surgical treatment of fusiform aneurysms of the basilar artery: technical note

Background

To present the combined treatment of fusiform basilar artery aneurysms consisting of a surgical posterior fossa decompressive craniectomy and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt operation at the same sitting, before the endovascular procedure with telescopic stenting of the aneurysmatic vessel segment in four cases.

Methods

Combined treatment involving surgical procedure consisting of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for hydrocephalus and an occipital bone craniectomy and C1 vertebrae posterior laminectomy to decompress the posterior fossa in the same session. After surgery, the patients were loaded with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel, and then the endovascular treatment was performed.

Results

All of the procedures were performed successfully without technical difficulty. The patients tolerated the procedures well and all cases showed remodelling with the overlapping stent technique. The patients were discharged home with baseline neurological situation and computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed at the 3rd month.

Conclusion

This technique is a safer endovascular approach to treating symptomatic fusiform basilar artery aneurysms by protecting patients from both the haemorrhagic complications of anticoagulant therapy and thrombotic complications due to the interruption of anticoagulant therapy, while treating the hydrocephalus and compression by surgical means.     

Reconstruction of intracranial vertebral artery with radial artery and occipital artery grafts for fusiform intracranial vertebral aneurysm not amenable to endovascular treatment: technical note

Background

Symptomatic fusiform intracranial vertebral artery aneurysms pose a formidable treatment challenge when not amenable to endovascular treatment. In this paper, we illustrate the microsurgical management of such an aneurysm.

Methods

To prevent neurological deterioration, anatomical reconstruction preserving all vessels including posterior inferior cerebellar artery and perforators is essential. In this case illustration, the occipital artery was used as a donor to a perforator originating from the aneurysmal segment. This bypass was performed in an end-to-side fashion. Subsequently, the aneurysmal component of the vertebral artery was resected and an end-to-side (V4 to V3) bypass was performed using a radial artery graft.

Results

The patient achieved complete resection of the aneurysm preserving normal anatomy of the posterior circulation without any ischemic complications.

Conclusions

Complex cerebral artery bypass techniques are essential in the armamentarium of cerebrovascular for the treatment of complex lesions not amenable to endovascular therapy.     

Microsurgical management of distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms: from basic to complex, a video review of four cases

Background

Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms represent 2–9 % of intracranial aneurysms. They are often more amenable to surgical rather than endovascular treatment due to the size of parent vessels.

Method

We illustrate surgical approaches for DACA aneurysms arising from different segments of the anterior cerebral artery. Cases range from simple unruptured aneurysms to complex ruptured aneurysms requiring reconstruction and intracranial bypass.

Conclusion

The interhemispheric approach typically provides an adequate surgical corridor for surgical clipping of DACA aneurysms. Patient positioning, image guidance, and preoperative angiography help maximize safety and efficacy of surgery.     

Medikamentenbeschichtete Ballonkatheter in der Behandlung der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit

Background

Despite initially encouraging technical success of femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) restenosis still remains the major challenge. The main reason for restenosis is neointimal hyperplasia which can be suppressed with antiproliferative drugs. Drug-coated balloons (DCB) or drug-coated stents (DCS) are used for the inhibition of restenosis.

Aim

The present article gives an overview of the currently available DCB systems for femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal use and presents the completed, ongoing and planned trials and registries as well as the open questions for the use of DCBs in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Material and methods

A comprehensive search for infrainguinal use of DCBs from 2008 until July 2013 was performed in databases of medical journals, registered randomized controlled trials and published scientific session abstracts.

Results

The major advantages of DCBs are that no residual stent scaffold is left behind, immediate release of high drug concentrations with a single dose and efficacy in areas where DCSs are contraindicated. The clinical evidence of first generation paclitaxel drug-coated balloons (PTX-DCB) has been shown in several controlled randomized trials.

Conclusions

Depending on the type and location of the lesion, DCBs are suitable for treatment of in-stent restenoses, restenoses in the region of the popliteal artery or side branches of the profunda artery for which stent application is contraindicated.     

Analysis of origin of the supra-aortic trunks from the aortic arch

Objective

The objective of this study was to describe in the general population the anatomy of the supra-aortic trunks (SATs: brachiocephalic trunk [BCT], left common carotid artery [LCCA], and left subclavian artery [LSA]) arising from the aortic arch in terms of mutual distances from the valvular aortic plane (VAP), ostial diameters, and clock face orientation from the sagittal aortic axis, with an analysis of each distribution.

Splenic Artery Switch for Revascularization of the Liver: A Salvage Procedure for Inflammatory Arterial Hemorrhage

Background

Hemorrhage caused by inflammatory vessel erosion represents a life-threatening complication after upper abdominal surgery such as pancreatic head resection. The gold standard therapeutic choice is an endovascular minimally invasive technique such as embolization or stent placement. Hepatic arterial hemorrhage in presence of pancreatitis and peritonitis is a particular challenge is if a standard therapeutic option is not possible.

Methods

The management of five patients with massive bleeding from the common hepatic artery is described. All patients underwent a splenic artery switch. The splenic artery was dissected close to the splenic hilum and transposed end-to-end to the common hepatic artery after resection of the eroded part. Patients’ medical records, radiology reports, and images were reviewed retrospectively. Technical success was defined as immediate cessation of hemorrhage and preserved liver vascularization. Clinical success was defined as hemodynamic stability and adequate long-term liver function.

Results

Total pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed in four of the five cases. Hemodynamic stability and good liver perfusion was achieved in these patients.

Conclusions

Splenic artery switch is an effective, safe procedure for revascularization of the liver in case of hepatic arterial hemorrhage following pancreatic surgery, pancreatitis, and/or peritonitis. The technique is a promising option if a standard procedure—e.g., stent implantation, embolization and surgical repair with alloplastic prosthesis or autologous venous interposition graft—is not possible.     

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??Objective:To discuss the methods of Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for artic arch aneurysm or dissection. Methods:From Sep.1998 to Feb.2006,63 cases related with the super??arch branches.Three methods were used in the lesions with left subclavain artery (LSA) invasion only,covering the LSA without reconstruction,LSA bypass before EVAR or covering LSA completely and then re??open it by endovascular technique.To the lesions with LSA and left common carotid artery (LCCA) invasion,a traditional bypass of LCCA and LSA was done before EVAR,or covering most of LCCA first,and then reconstructed it through LCCA by endovascular technique.To the lesions with three super??arch branches invasion,a bifurcated stent??graft was planted for reconstructing the artic arch. Results:LSA was treated in 54 cases,LSA and LCCA were treated in 8 cases and all of the super??arch branch arteries were treated in 1 case.All of the auxiliary techniques were enforced successfully.The primary average systolic pressure of left brachial artery was ??62.6±24.2??mmHg in cases without LSA reconstruction.The 30??days endoleak rate was 17.5%. Conclusion:Covering the LSA is safe to the patients with normal contraliteral vertebral and basilar artery.EVAR combined with supplementary techniques can expand the EVAR indications of aortic arch lesions.The long term result still keep in follow up.     

Intracranial aneurysms in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion: management and outcome in 22 cases

Background

There is little information about clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of patients with intracranial aneurysms and internal carotid artery occlusion. We will describe clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with coexistent internal carotid artery occlusion and intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 22 patients (eight males and 14 females) with coexistent internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion and intracranial aneurysms.

Results

This series includes 14 females and eight males with a mean age of 63 years (range, 49 to 80). These patients harbored a total of 35 aneurysms, which were located on the same side of the ICA occlusion in five cases, on the contralateral side in 20 cases, while in ten cases the aneurysm had a midline location (AcomA 9, Basilar tip 1). Treatment consisted of surgery for eight aneurysms and endovascular embolization for 13 aneurysms. No invasive treatment was recommended for 14 aneurysms (eight patients with single aneurysm). No permanent perioperative or periprocedural complications occurred in the selected group of patients undergoing invasive treatment. At a mean follow-up of 57?months (range, 3–203), no patient had a subarachnoid hemorrhage and three patients had died of causes not related to the aneurysm.

Conclusion

Surgical and endovascular treatment can be accomplished safely in selected patients with coexistent ICA occlusion and intracranial aneurysms. Conservative treatment is a valid alternative, especially in elderly patients or in patients with very small aneurysms, especially if not located along the collateral pathway.     

Evidenzbasierte Therapie radiogener Läsionen der extrakraniellen A. carotis und A. subclavia

Background

Radiation induces intimal damage and can lead to lesions in the peripheral vessels. The plaque morphology after radiation seems to be more stable compared with atherosclerotic plaques. In the case of neurological symptoms from carotid artery stenosis after neck radiation, invasive therapy is clearly indicated.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature in PubMed was performed with regard to the evidence for treatment and treatment options for radiation-induced stenosis of the internal carotid artery and the subclavian artery.

Results

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is recommended as the treatment of choice in radiogenic stenosis in current national and international guidelines. In recent literature, however, it was argued that carotid endarterectomy is also safely applicable in those patients, achieving good short- and long-term results. In comparison, CAS carries a relatively high risk of neurological symptoms during follow up. In addition, restenosis occurs significantly more often after CAS compared with surgery. Radiation following breast cancer can induce lesions in the subclavian artery. This can cause stenotic plaques and also aneurysm formation. Endovascular treatment with angioplasty and stent or stent graft implantation serves as treatment of first choice in these patients.

Conclusion

Radiation-induced stenosis of the internal carotid artery can safely be treated by endovascular and operative means. In case of stenosis in the subclavian artery, angioplasty remains the treatment of choice. Best medical therapy is recommended to avoid disease progression by atherosclerosis.     

Positive clinical outcomes of the saphenous vein interposition technique for ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm

Purpose

Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) can be treated successfully by surgical and endovascular methods; however, the best treatment strategy for a ruptured PAA has yet to be established. We assessed the clinical results of using saphenous vein interposition to treat ruptured PAAs in our hospital.

Methods

The subjects of this study were seven men (average age 59 years, range 43–71 years), who underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured PAA at our hospital between January 2007 and November 2012. The patients were assessed after 1, 6, and 12 months, postoperatively.

Results

All included patients underwent saphenous vein graft interposition via a medial approach. No complications or graft thromboses were encountered in the immediate postoperative period. The patients were discharged after an average of 4 days postoperatively (range 3–5 days). The patients were followed up for an average of 32 months (range 2–60 months). The medium-term graft patency was 100 %. No patients suffered early or medium-term limb loss and there was no mortality.

Conclusion

Based on our positive results, saphenous vein graft interposition should be considered as the first choice of surgical treatment for a ruptured PAA.     

Various techniques of stent-assisted coil embolization of wide-necked or fusiform artherosclerotic and dissecting unruptured vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms for reducing recanalization: mid-term results

Background

Coil embolization of wide-necked or fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms is challenging and tends to involve frequent recanalization.

Purpose

The aim of our study was to evaluate complications and mid-term outcomes of complex vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms after stent-assisted coiling with various techniques.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 28 cases of unruptured vertebrobasilar aneurysm treated by stent-assisted coiling.

Results

Forty-four of the 45 stents placed in 28 patients were deployed at the desired location (97.8 %). Single stent-assisted coiling was performed in 14 aneurysms, a stent-within-a-stent (SWS) technique was used in 12 aneurysms, and Y-stent-assisted coiling was employed in four basilar tip aneurysms. Two basilar tip aneurysms treated by single stent-assisted coiling recurred and were retreated by SWS and Y-stent-assisted coiling. Complete embolization was achieved in 19 aneurysms (67.8 %), and remnant neck persisted in eight aneurysms (28.6 %) and remnant aneurysm was noted in one aneurysm (3.6 %). Permanent neurologic deficit (Modified Rankin Scale 1 and 4) was noted in two patients (7.1 %). Angiographic follow-up (mean follow-up period: 20.8 months) was performed in 20 patients. Major recanalization occurred in two basilar tip aneurysms (10 %) and minor compaction was noted in one superior cerebellar artery aneurysm. The remaining 17 aneurysms were stable or improved (85 %).

Conclusions

Complex vertebrobasilar aneurysm embolization with stent-assisted techniques was effective and feasible as a method for reducing recanalization during midterm angiographic follow-up. Large and wide-necked basilar tip aneurysms showed frequent major recanalization, and compact packing with single or Y-stent-assisted coiling is needed to prevent recanalization even if coiling will be done without stenting.